SUE: Barcodes (Greg and Russell)

[Event !]

You can always read in the dark. Plus, I think the anti-theft machines are broken.

Public Service Announcement: Stealing is wrong. Do not steal.

[Greg Mackenzie]

When Greg first heard about how a local bookstore orders a book you’d like to purchase free of charge if they didn’t have it in their shelves, he was rather skeptical. It was a local bookstore after all, how the hell did they manage to subsidize shipping cost? But he’d been looking for Jeffery Self’s books – Straight People: A Spotter’s Guide and Fifty Shades of Gay, quite the books and he’s not ashamed of them really – since forever and it wasn’t like the bookstore asked for an expensive down payment, so he figured why the hell not. Three weeks to wait for shipping was nothing compared to the three years he’s spent looking for the damned books.

The bookstore was in the part of town he wasn’t all too familiar with though, and since he did have a few errands to run that day too – namely groceries and clothes shopping, ‘cause it’s finally spring and he can’t be all bundled up when the sun’s out – the Book Nook became his last stop of the day. Just in time too, since his phone battery’s at a mere 9% since he forgot to charge before he left the institute.

He was just about to pay for the books – with his dad’s credit card, no less – when the whole blackout happened. “What the fuck happened?” he asked, in the middle of the transaction. With the pinpad down, he wasn’t exactly sure how he’s going to pay for his purchases. “You don’t happen to accept Canadian cash, do you?”

[Russell Sands]

It wasn't often at all that Russell frequented the book store. His rather hectic life left him little time for recreational reading; and besides, after a busy day of signing paperwork and reading over contracts and looking over business books, the last thing he tended to want to do was sit and read anything else. Books on tape were more his style, but even they tended to be few and far between.

However, when he had found out that the dog shelter in Burlington was having a book drive and then sale in order to raise funds for a new kennel block, Russell knew he wanted to contribute. His own bookshelves were pitifully bare of books, instead holding framed certificates of his dog's achievements over the years, and so a trip to the book store in town had been a necessity.

Securing Outlast to the little tie-ring outside the store, Russell gave him the command to lie and wait while he went to pick some books. After grabbing a basket, Russell grabbed a random selection of fiction and non-fiction books, including a few copies of the novel that was being marketed as number one on the bestseller list, and then started heading towards the counter. Then the lights went out.

Thanks to the large windows the store was hardly in pitch darkness, and Russell placed his basket on the counter a little way down from the cursing boy. He spoke softly to the slightly concerned looking young woman behind the till. “If you're still open, I would like to take these please. Yes, I can pay with cash.” Over-hearing the boy, he then gestured to him with a small head tilt. “Put his on mine too, thanks.”

[Greg Mackenzie]

Of course the power would go out when Greg barely had $2 in cash with him. It wasn’t his fault he still wasn’t comfortable with American money despite living across the border for more than four months now. “They’re so not foreigner-friendly,” he said once while showing off the few Canadian bills he brought from home to the new ‘Yankee’ friends he’d made. American bills were confusing as they’re all green. Compare that to the colour-coded Canadian bills – blue for a five, purple for a ten, green for a twenty, orange for a fifty and brown for a hundred – and the use of coins for two- and one-dollar denominations. Oh, and the penny was removed from circulation a year back.

Just among the few things his motherland had over the States, along with healthcare and marriage equality.

He was thinking of asking if he could simply come back for the books some other day when the man behind him offered to pay for his books. “Wait what?” he asked, turning around with wide eyes which instinctively turned narrow almost immediately as he scrutinized the man. Or at least tried to, it was a little challenging to do just that in the dark.

There was nothing about the man that raised red flags – save for the fact that he offered to pay for Greg’s books on top of his already huge pile with cash – and he wasn’t getting anything overtly negative with regards to the man’s stray thoughts. (It took quite a lot for him not to probe the man’s mind deeper, but it didn’t seem that necessary at the moment). “You don’t have to do that,” said Greg, feeling a little embarrassed. $20 may not seem like a lot for some, but it was for a boy that still has yet to find a part-time job. (His parents send him stipends, but he always insisted those were just for necessities). “I mean, thanks but maybe I can just come back for it tomorrow or something.”

Hopefully the power will be back soon so he could use an ATM. And charge his phone. Provided he can find his way home though. 6% might not be enough to use data to open Google Maps to trace his way back to Hammel.

[Russell Sands]

Russell wasn’t in the habit of carrying large amounts of cash around with him, but he always made sure that he had enough to hand to be able to manage easily if he needed something other than a card to pay with. Once something was in one of his pockets no one but him would be able to find it in there in order to be able to steal it, but he was often walking at least one of his dogs anyway and there were very few people stupid enough to try to steal from him when he was walking a tank on legs.

In truth Russell had expected the boy to be somewhat surprised, and there was a soft smile on his lips. He enjoyed being able to help others when he could; there were far too many greedy and selfish people in the world and Russell had no plan to ever be one of them. He was well off and had enough money to be easily comfortable, and a couple of bucks here or there made little difference overall. He didn’t flaunt his money, but he did like to spread it around to those who could do with a hand sometimes.

“I know I don’t, but I don’t mind. It would save you from having to make the trip again another time.” He gave a soft shrug of his shoulders, unloading the books that he had selected out of the basket and onto the counter to be tallied up. His thoughts were indeed harmless, partly wondering what the boy would choose but mainly concerned about the dogs now in the dark in the house. They would probably be fine, but Tia was still very young and Russell was often worried about her, despite the fact there were three fully grown dogs there keeping an eye on her.

Russell had a polite smile on his lips as he addressed the boy while the lady started to calculate the total of the books he was buying. “It’s up to you, of course, but the offer is there if you want to make the most of it.”

[Greg Mackenzie]

The man had a point. It had been a struggle just to get to the shop today (not entirely the shop’s fault though; despite being a Hammel student for at least four months now, he’s still yet to explore Pilot Ridge), and while a second time might be a bit more manageable, it was indeed a hassle. And the man seemed harmless enough – he didn’t seem like he had mafia connections, that he’d want Greg’s soul in return for a twenty-dollar purchase, or that he’s the type of man that preyed on innocent young boys. (Not that Greg was fairly ‘innocent’ looking. His five-foot-nine, lacrosse-player frame had him mistaken for a college student at least a couple of times in the mall).

“Fine,” Greg finally resigned, flashing the warmest smile he could muster at the man, “I accept your offer.” His pride prevents him from accepting good deeds without at least attempting to give back though, so he quickly added, “Would you happen to have a business card by any chance? Or anything I can use to contact you after? I owe you one and all that.” With a candy store receipt he found in his pocket and the blue pen the cashier had lying around, Greg scribbled his contact information and handed it to the man. “Here’s mine. In case I forget to send you a text or whatever. I’m Greg.”

[Russell Sands]

In truth, the boy had pretty much nothing to fear from Russell. He was harmless as the day was long and without his dogs by his side he would probably have issues fighting his way out of a wet paper bag. Physical confrontations had never been his forte; why risk getting his rather handsome (if he did say so himself) face damaged when he could usually talk his way out of any issue? Besides, if anything he was likely to be more anxious of the kid than the kid was of him. Despite Russell's rather toned build he would never be confused for a weight-lifter, and the boy had a good three inches or so on him height-wise.

As the boy accepted his offer Russell gave a smile, nodding his head in approval. “Good!” He turned the smile to the lady behind the counter. “Add his on to mine, please. Thanks.” Digging around in his jacket pocket to try to find his wallet, Russell's arm began to slowly disappear until he was elbow-deep inside the small-looking pocket. “Hmm? Oh! Don't worry about owing me; just pay it forward to someone else if you can. Spread the kindness, and all that.” Eventually his fingers closed around the leather wallet and he pulled it out, along with a little black business card holder that had the letters 'S.I.N' engraved on it in silver. “But here, if you ever do want to get in touch.” Russell fished out one of the elegantly designed business cards, swapping it for the note on the candy store receipt. “I'm Russell; pleasure to meet you.”

[Greg Mackenzie]

Greg let out a large sigh. Well at least that was sorted out. Never really good at waiting and all, Greg’s eyes darted around as he bit his lip and tapped on the counter slightly. He looked through the quaint store’s shelves, saw the odd little decors, and then stopped when he saw the man’s elbow deep inside his pocket.

Like what? Greg’s dad had a similar jacket that he tried on once and he remembered it only went down to his wrist the deepest? Like how?

He blinked twice just to make sure he wasn’t seeing things, but there it was. Good lord.

Greg debated asking the man about it; the boy was naturally curious after all, and you don’t see feats like that every day. He didn’t say anything though out of respect for the man. He did after all, just pay for his books without even asking. He seemed old, so he must’ve done so without even thinking; Greg has imagined that he’d be more or less like that in his fifties too, if he managed to get a good grasp of his powers anyway. And who knows, maybe he was just seeing things. The sun was setting after all and without the lights, the store was a little bit dimmer than his eyes were comfortable with.

“Totes. Will do.” Good karma was never a bad thing after all. But maybe he’d do something that didn’t involve monetary help. Broke ass high school kid and all.

When the wallet came out Greg wasn’t all too surprised; when the card holder made an appearance though, well, that was just weird. “Just where did that card holder come from?” It took him about a second or two to realize what he just said and immediately he turned red, biting his lip and covering his mouth. “Shit sorry.”

[Russell Sands]

Greg's anxiousness did not go unnoticed by Russell, but he didn't say anything about it. He had noticed that quite often people seemed to get nervous or distrustful when presented with a display of honest generosity, which was a sad state of things. People doing favours for one another simply for the kindness of the act itself seemed to be a dying trend, but it was a trait that Russell was certain he would never lose. The kid owed him nothing, just like the charities that Russell often donated to didn't owe him anything. What a shitty world it would be if people only ever did nice things because they would get some kind of pay-off.

Digging around in his pockets had become second nature to Russell over the years, to the point that he often didn't even realise he was doing it until it was either pointed out to him or until he had been doing it for so long that he started to get a migraine. As such he wasn't aware of Greg's sudden fascination with his rummaging for the damn wallet and business card holder. Surely they had to be in here somewhere...

Russell gave the boy a soft smile as Greg confirmed that he would pass it forward. “Good. The world would be a much happier place with some more random acts of kindness.” As the woman said out the total owed Russell fished the money out of his wallet, handing it over. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

At Greg's sudden exclamation Russell arched an eyebrow in quiet surprise, only catching on a moment later that he had just been fishing around rather deep in his pockets. At the same moment that Greg cursed and apologised, Russell said “Oh, sorry! I just-”, cutting off so they weren't talking over one another. Giving a quiet chuckle, Russell handed over a business card. “Ah, sorry. I forget about that, sometimes. I'm meta; I can create pocket dimensions. Sorry if I spooked you, I meant no harm.” He truthfully didn't, but an edge of wariness crept into Russell mind as he admitted to his meta-status. Sure Pilot Ridge was, by and large, incredibly friendly and welcoming to meta's, but there were always those who strongly opposed them, and sometimes it was prudent to be a little wary until you could work out how the other person would take the news.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Greg’s eyes widened when Russell just admitted he’s meta; god did he seem so surprised that the man had to admit? And in front of this seemingly sweet cashier lady too? “Umm, say what again sir?” the lady, who was until moments ago was quiet and trying her hardest not to scoff at the exchange Greg and the older man was having – yes, she was eavesdropping and was judging Greg, harshly, but the Canadian teen could care less to be honest. She cocked an eyebrow at Russell, which with the help of the relatively lowlight by virtue of the power outage, seemed perfectly innocent.

But Greg knew better.

/I knew you were meta,/ said Greg, hoping his telepathy was, well, on his side this time around and actually projected what he wanted Russell to hear. Oh, and projected it to Russell and Russell only. And at the right volume at that. Control was something he’s so not used to after all. /Sorry if I acted surprised. Not used to seeing metas that weren’t my age. Unless they’re school staff./ He’s heard rumours that Pilot Ridge was filled with people like him, but he hasn’t really seen one practicing their powers out in the open. The most ‘open’ he and his friends did so was by the lake, and even then they made sure no one could see them.

Not that they were afraid or anything. More like they’re not good with control and, well, they don’t want to hurt anyone else.

Back to the seemingly sweet lady. Greg picked up not-so-warm thoughts from her the moment Russell mentioned the word ‘meta’. Something that sounded like ‘pus’ was also present, but Greg didn’t need to dig deeper. He got the point. And since this was his doing, he needed to act. Stat.

“Oh nothing. Thanks so much Maddie,” said Greg with a smile, grabbing Russell by his elbow and dragging him out the shop once their transaction was complete – with change exchange and all, which the Canadian grabbed quickly and handed to Russell once they’re out of the shop. It wasn’t really that hard, given their body sizes and all. He let out a huge breath once they’re out, shaking his head. “She’s not too fond of metas. Something about a meta being chosen over her brother for a track university scholarship. Not pretty. Not pretty at all.”